Multivariable Calculus/Calculus & Geometry textbook suggestions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around suggestions for textbooks on multivariable calculus, specifically addressing various topics such as differentiation in several variables, inverse and implicit functions, quadratic forms, extrema, curves and surfaces, and integration in several variables. Participants share their recommendations based on the needs of a university student retaking a course.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests "Multivariable Calculus" by Edwards and Penney as a starting point.
  • Others recommend "Courant" and "Apostol" as suitable texts, noting their mathematical rigor.
  • Another participant mentions "Div, Grad, Curl and All That" by Schey for intuition, and "Vector Calculus" by Marsden and Tromba as an intermediate option.
  • Stewart's "Multivariable Calculus" is highlighted for its accessibility and simplicity.
  • Howard Anton's "Calculus, A New Horizon" is mentioned for its applications of calculus.
  • Several participants point out that the Khan Academy offers easy-to-understand lectures, although not covering all topics listed.
  • A free book is suggested, with one participant initially providing an incorrect link, later correcting it to a volume that includes multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and geometry.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the best textbooks, with no clear consensus on a single recommendation. Some agree on the value of "Courant" and "Apostol," while others advocate for more accessible options like Stewart's text.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the rigor of some recommended texts may not align with the needs of all students, suggesting that individual preferences for mathematical depth and presentation style may vary significantly.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for university students seeking textbooks for multivariable calculus, educators looking for teaching resources, and anyone interested in exploring different approaches to the subject matter.

chris_0101
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Hello all,

I am currently in University and I am retaking a course that I dropped last year due to the fact that there was no textbook and the time I spent in the course was a frantic scramble for reliable information and attempting to understand what the professor was teaching. I have looked before and the only textbook that I found that was remotely close to the material that is covered in the course is Multivariable Calculus by Edwards and Penney. I am asking the community for any suggestions for textbooks that cover most, if not all of the topics listed below:

- Differentiation in Several Variables
Partial derivatives, directional derivatives, del operator, Mean-value theorem for a function of several variables, differentiation through an integral, Leibniz's Rule 2nd order derivatives and Clairaut's theorem, Hessian Matrix. Functions from several variables to several variables, Jacobian Matrix

- Inverse - and Implicit functions in several variables
Inverse function theorem
Implicit function theorem

- Quadratic forms
Matrix Representation
Change of variable & diagonalization by congruence
Positive & Negative definiteness, Semi-definieness, determinantal criteria
Sylvester's Theorem

- Extrema
Local extrema-critical points, local max, local min, saddle points, determinantal tests on the Hessian Matrix
Global extrema-existence for continuous functwions on closed, bounded sets, finiding constrained extrema by the method of Lagrange multipliers

- Curves and Surfaces
Space curves defined parametrically-tangent, normal, binormal, arc length, curvature, torsion
Surfaces-implicit and parametric definitions-tangent plane, normal line
Space curves defined as intersecting surgaces, related quadratic & cubic forms

- Integration in several Variables
Multiple and iterated integrals
Change of order of variables
Change of variable formula in general
Polar, cylindrical & spherical coordinates
Line integrals, consecutive and non-consecutive vector fields, curl operator
Surface integrals, projection onto a plane, parametric surgace integrals
Stokes' theorem, boundary curve, orientation
Gauss' theorem, boundary surgace, div operator

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated and sorry for the long list, I didn't want to leave anything out.
 
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I fully second Apostol and Courant.
 
Apostol and Courant are excellent but they are mathematically rigorous and I don't know if that is what you want. If not, then there is the book by Schey Div, Grad, Curl and All That for intuition; Marsden and Tromba Vector Calculus is an intermediate sort of book; and the old favourite is Stewart Multivariable Calculus or the relevant chapters in his Calculus. Stewart gives the simplest presentation of calculus.

I suggest going to the library and looking through all these books and deciding for yourself which one best suites your needs.
 
any multivariable calculus text will fit your description..
 
I agree that Courant and Apostol are NOT light reads. Stewart has an excellent MV book that is good for all audiences. A lesser known book is Howard Anton's Calculus, A new horizon, which has a lot of good applications of calc added in. Of course the Khan Academy has very easy-to-understand lectures, but not in all of the above mentioned topics.
 

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